United States President Donald Trump said on Monday that Sudan will be removed from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism, if it keeps its pledge to pay $335 million to American victims of militant attacks and their families.
This move would open the door for Khartoum to obtain international loans and necessary aid to revive its battered economy, which would help in saving the country and help its transition to democracy.
"Great news! New government of Sudan, which is making great progress, agreed to pay $335 MILLION to U.S. terror victims and families," Trump tweeted. "Once deposited, I will lift Sudan from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list."
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1318251010595303424
The announcement came after Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin visited Bahrain to reinforce the Gulf state's recognition of Israel.
It also came at a time when the Trump administration is seeking more Arab recognition of Israel, while removing Sudan from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism is a major incentive for the Sudanese government to normalize relations with Israel.
Although Trump did not mention Israel in his tweet, rapprochement between Israel and another Arab country would give Trump a new diplomatic achievement as he seeks re-election on Nov. 3.
On his part, the Prime Minister of Sudan, Abdalla Hamdok, replied in a tweet: “Many thanks to President Trump for seeking to cancel Sudan’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism, a classification that has seriously harmed Sudan, we look forward to his official notification to Congress."
https://twitter.com/SudanPMHamdok/status/1318257284003319810
"I congratulate the Sudanese people for this great achievement. Our people have never been a sponsor or advocate of terrorism," Hamdok added in another tweet. "I would like to say that there is a long road ahead, and we need serious planning and to work together to make use of this opportunity."
https://twitter.com/SudanPMHamdok/status/1318330382035701761
Meanwhile, Sudan's Sovereignty Council chairman Gen. Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, also welcomed Trump's decision, saying: "I would like to express my great appreciation of the Sudanese nation to President Trump and the American administration for taking this constructive step to remove Sudan from the list of countries that sponsor terrorism."
"This step confirms the great appreciation for the historical change that took place in Sudan and the struggle and sacrifices of the Sudanese people for freedom, peace and justice." he added.
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